Going Solo: Self-Portraits with Film Cameras, Mechanical Timers, and the Filmmaker's Tape

Pictured: That's me, captured through the lens of a mechanical film camera for a self portrait. I used a mechanical self-timer and a good understanding of focus scales to achieve this shot. Interested in doing the same? Read on to learn how these old-school techniques can still deliver great results.

In the digital age, taking self-portraits—or "selfies"—has never been easier. But what if you're a connoisseur of the classics and shoot on film? Not to worry! Today, we're diving into the art of taking a self-portrait with a film camera. To make this more engaging, we'll discuss mechanical self-timers and a filmmaker's best friend: the tape measure.

Mechanical Self-Timers: Old School Yet Effective

Long before the age of smartphones and digital cameras with built-in timers, photographers relied on mechanical self-timers and shutter release cables for those mirror selfies. While both can be attached to your camera's shutter release mechanism, they serve slightly different purposes.

Mechanical Self-Timers: These are perfect for giving you time to get into the frame. Wind up the timer, press the shutter button, and you have a few seconds to take your position for a classic self-portrait.

Shutter Release Cables: More commonly used for mirror selfies, these cables allow you to manually trigger the shutter. This gives you direct control and is especially useful when you're in a position where reaching the camera's shutter button is impractical.

As a personal experiment, I used a mechanical self-timer for the above self-portrait. I had just wrapped up a photo shoot and was cleaning up when I realized I had one shot left on a roll of film. Eager to use it wisely before shipping the film to the lab, I decided to venture into the world of film camera self-portraits for the first time. It might be an old-school perspective, but let's be honest—most guys aren't keen on selfies; we'd rather be building or creating something. It's just the way we're wired. Plus, if I need a photo, I'd rather have a professional take it of me, which gives me more options and flexibility. Nonetheless, the process of self-portraiture intrigued me enough to inspire this week's article, and it's likely something I'll explore again in the future.

Pictured: Here are two vintage mechanical self-timers, built to last and still functional in 2023. Much like a well-made watch, these timers were designed for longevity. Want to see how they work? A short video below demonstrates the winding mechanism that keeps these gadgets ticking.

Understanding Your Lens: The Focus Scale

Whether setting up a self-portrait, executing a dynamic professional photo shoot, or blocking a movie scene with actors, understanding how to get the focus right is crucial—especially when working with a film camera. That's where your lens's focus scale comes in handy.

Simply put, the focus scale on your lens is a set of numbers and markers that indicate the distance at which your lens will focus. These numbers often appear in feet and meters and usually include an "infinity" symbol (∞) for objects far away. It's worth noting that these distances can vary depending on the lens you're using and the film size, so we won't get into specific technical instructions here.

Don't be intimidated by the technical jargon or complex diagrams you may encounter online. The focus scale is a user-friendly guide designed to help you set your lens's focus accurately based on distance. Some lenses come with built-in focus scales, while others may require extra work. If your lens doesn't have a focus scale, don't worry—many manufacturers provide specific depth-of-field charts tailored to individual lenses and film formats. These charts serve the same essential function as a focus scale, helping you accurately set your focus based on the distance between the camera and your subject. Whether you're capturing a self-portrait, photographing a dynamic model, or filming a moving actor, aligning the focus ring with the corresponding distance on the focus scale ensures that your shot will be appropriately focused.

Using a tape measure to find the exact distance from your camera to your subject can help you accurately set this focus.

In the world of independent productions—where you may find yourself acting as director, cinematographer, and perhaps even editor—you don't have the luxury of ignoring these fundamentals. It's even more critical when your actors or models are moving around; this is where the art of crafting the blocking and movements of the scene comes into play.

In such environments, you'll find that autofocus is rarely your friend. In fact, traditional motion picture film cameras don't even offer autofocus as an option. Therefore, understanding how to manually set your focus is not just a 'nice-to-have' skill; it's an absolute necessity. Accurately setting your lens's focus based on your subject's distance ensures that your shots are as crisp as your artistic vision intends them to be.

By mastering the focus scale and the nuances of setting the focus manually, you maintain greater control over the entire production. This is vital for capturing the subtleties and complexities of your characters and scenes, and it lets you execute your vision with a level of precision that automatic systems just can't match.

Pictured: This compact binder was my go-to resource while directing a recent short film. Tucked alongside the script are focus charts, customized for one of the specific cinema cameras and lenses used. These charts are invaluable for quick referencing on set, ensuring that every shot is in perfect focus. It's an old-school touch in a digital age, but sometimes, the best tools are the tried-and-true methods that have stood the test of time.

A Practical Example: Setting Up for a Self-Portrait

Imagine you're standing 5 feet away from your camera. After measuring the distance, you use the focus scale on your lens or your lens-specific depth-of-field chart to set your lens to focus at a distance of 5 feet. Now, looking at the depth-of-field indications, you notice there's a "zone of focus" ranging from approximately 4 feet to 6 feet. This tells you that anything within this zone will appear reasonably sharp. You thus have a 2-foot "window" around the 5-foot focus point. If you stay within this area, you'll be in focus in your self-portrait.

This understanding of your lens's focus scale or depth-of-field chart offers you the freedom and confidence to move within that 2-foot window, knowing you'll still capture a sharply focused image. This is incredibly useful for self-portraits, where you're both the subject and the photographer; it takes away the stress of worrying that slight movements will throw off your focus.

The same principle applies in filmmaking. Knowing this "zone of focus" is essential when directing actors and setting up dynamic scenes—particularly in independent productions where you might be wearing multiple hats, from director to cinematographer.

By mastering the focus scale and understanding how to set your focus manually based on these parameters, you gain a level of control over the entire creative process that automatic systems simply can't offer. This enables you to be more expressive and creative in framing your shots while ensuring the technical aspects are spot-on.

Conclusion: The Frame and Beyond

Mastering focus and self-portraiture are valuable skills, but they're just a piece of the larger creative puzzle. Orson Welles said it best: "The enemy of art is the absence of limitations." Your lens may frame a certain reality, but remember that what lies outside of it is just as telling.

As you continue your journey in film and photography, consider the power of the unseen frame—the opportunities, the limitations, and the lessons that come with it.

Whether you're behind the lens or in front of it, may your creative pursuits always find their focus.

❤️‍🔥🌊🌙

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